Shoe box carrying device



Feb. 17,1970 H. E. POTH SHOE BOX CARRYING DEVICE Filed Nov. 12, 1968 .HARoLa E. POTH BY by: M #15 ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 229-52 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device adapted to be applied to rectangular merchandise containers, such as conventional shoe boxes or the like, which containers are provided with a removably applied flanged closure member or lid. Formed from a single blank or cardboard or other suitable material, the device includes: a main body portion adapted to encompass the box and its applied lid; a pair of spaced locking tabs adapted to be removably inserted between adjacent portions of the lid flange and the open end of the box; and an upstanding section having a handhole formation therein. Prior to its application to a shoe box or the like, the device is foldable to a flat status, so that great quantities thereof may be shipped and stored economically. As will appear, the handle section of the device is so disposed that the user, while employing the device, may enjoy walking movements without hindrance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device that may be quickly applied to a box containing a pair of shoes or other merchandise, in order to facilitate the manual transportation thereof from the purchasing site. Ample space for advertising is available, and the device may be removed from and applied to the box time and again to facilitate its transportation and contents subsequently to the original purchase thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As suggested, the device comprising the invention is fashioned from a generally rectangular blank or cardboard or other suitable material, and includesfour major body panels defined by five transverse paral el score or fold lines formed therein between the opposed longitudinal marginal edges thereof. One of the panels is provided with a pair of opposed cutout locking tab segments that are each defined by a relatively short score or fold line formed in that panel and extending inwardly from one side marginal edge of the blank. These tab segments are each provided with a transverse score or fold line in order to facilitate manual insertion of the locking portions there-of between the flange of the lid and the body of the box, as will appear. A pair of identical handle panels, each defined by one of said fold lines and the thereto adjacent marginal edge of the blank, are adhesively integrated in the ultimate device.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated on a sheet of drawings that accompanies this specification, and a detailed description thereof will appear below with reference to said drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a generally rectangular blank that has been scored and slit in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of said blank folded into its ready-for-shipping, storage, and subsequent use status;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

3,495,760 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 'ice FIGURE 4 is an enlarged end view of the complete device disposed on a flat surface with a shoe box in position therein, and illustrating the partial insertion of a locking tab between an upper portion of one side of the box and the depending flange of the associated lid thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a further enlarged sectional reproduction of the right hand portion of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a view simi ar to FIGURE 5 illustrating the complete insertion of the locking tab, this view however being shown with the device in carrying disposition, and including fragmentarily that portion of the device above the locking tabs when said device is in such disposition;

FIGURE 7 is an end elevation of the device in right hand box carrying position, this view being drawn to a scale corresponding to that of FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 8 is an end elevation illustrating two boxes in side-by-side relation, each with the invention applied thereto for transportation with one hand.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The carrying device of the present invention is generally designated 10, and its use is illustrated in association with a conventional shoe box B having a removable and replaceable lid L.

The device 10 is fashioned from a generally rectangular blank of cardboard or other suitable material designated 12 in FIGURE 1. As there shown, this blank is provided with a series of parallel spaced score or fold lines designated 14-, 16, 18, 20, and 22, said lines extending from what will be termed the left side marginal edge 24 to the right side marginal edge 26 of the blank, and being formed between 'what will be termed the upper end edge 28 and the lower end edge 30 of said blank. These lines define between the upper and lower edges of the blank what will produce in the ultimate device; a first handle flap 32, a top panel 34, a first side panel 36, a bottom panel 38, a second side panel 40, and a second reinforcing handle flap 42. correspondingly contoured and located hand holes 44 are provided in both of the handle flaps 32 and 42.

The principal feature of the present invention comprises a pair of opposed locking tabs 46, that as best seen in FIGURES l and 2 are partially cut out of the bottom panel 38. Each tab 46 is defined by an arcuate inner edge 48, a portion of the blank side marginal edges, and a short transverse score or fold line 50. In the interest of clarity, those portions of the blank side edges 24 and 26 that serve to define the tabs 46, are each identified by the numeral 52. Intermediate the fold line 50 and the crest of the arcuate edge 48, each locking tab 46 is provided with a transverse score or fold line 54 that so to speak, divides said tab into an. insert section '56 and a supporting section 58 therefor. In order to facilitate entry thereof as will be described, the outer upper corner of each insert section 56 is cut away as indicated at 60.

In the manufacture of the device :10, a thin coating of adhesive 62 would be applied to the handel flap 32, as indicated by stippling in FIGURE 1. The fold line 18 comprises the centerline of the blank 12, so that the therebelow half portion of said blank would] be folded along that line and superimposed upon the top half portion, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Consequently, the handle flaps 32 and 42 together with the hand holes 44 formed therein would be disposed in registry, whereupon with pressure applied, the two handle flaps would be permanently integrated in consequence of the adhesive agent 62.

In the thus folded and flat status of FIGURE 2, large quantities of the devices 10 may be stacked, shipped to a sales site, and there stored for ready use as should be understood. Obviously, the top and side panels of the device provide extensive space for advertisement messages to indicate the origin and brand of the merchandise, the name and location of the sales establishment, and so on.

USE

Although it is believed that ust of the invention should be apparent from the foregoing description and an inspection of the drawings, a brief explanation will be given.

Thus, it will be assumed that a shoe store has on hand a supply of devices that may for example be stacked on a shelf in the vicinity of the wrapping counter or table. It will further be assumed that a customer had purchased a pair of shoes, and that these had then been replaced in the original box B whereupon the lid L had been applied, as is understood. Instead of wrapping the box, or applying any of the usual carrying means thereto, the sales clerk would simply remove a device 10 from the stack, erect same to the open-bodied configuration illustrated in FIGURE 4, and then place it onto the suggested flat surface S with the side panel 40 at the bottom as shown.

It will of course, be apparent that at this time, the locking tabs 46 remain in flat condition, and are consequently coplanar with the panel 38, so that the shoecontaining lid-covered box B may be quickly slid into the open body of the device that is defined by the panels 34, 36, 38 and 40 from either end, with the lid L uppermost. The extent of the device 10 is at least approximately equal to that of the Box B, wherefore the locking tabs will now be disposed at or near the opposite ends of said box with the insert sections 56 thereof lying against the adjacent outer side face of the lid flange F. Finger manipulation would now first distend each locking tab 46 outwardly followed by partial entry of the insert section 56 into the narrow space obtaining between the upper end of the box side wall face and the adjacent inner face of the lid flange F, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. It will be observed that these manipulations are facilitated by the provision of the score lines 50 and 54. With slight inward pressure next applied against the thus formed apex at the score line 54, each tab 46 will assume the full locking position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 6, followed by removal of the entire unit from the surface S to carrying position, as should be understood and is also illustrated particularly in said FIGURE 6.

It should thus be apparent that the invention provides a simple box carrying device that may be produced economically, easily and quickly applied to and removed from a box of the type exemplarily shown, and that may be repeatedly employed by the customer in future use, should he or she desire to do so. The double thickness hand hole obviates any discomfort to the hand of the user. The disposition of the handle portion to one side rather than centrally of the device is an important feature of the invention, inasmuch as this provision enables an individual carrying the shoe-laden box to do so with complete walking freedom.

FIGURE 8 illustrates that the invention is also adaptable for use in carrying tow boxes with one hand. Obviously however when so used, freedom of walking movements may be restricted somewhat, but it should be ap parent nevertheless that the carrying of two boxes with one hand would be greatly facilitated.

In view of the foregoing description and the drawings, it is believed that an adequate disclosure of the invention has been given. The illustrated configurations of the handle flaps and of the locking tabs 46 may of course be modified somewhat without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherefore it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for use in carrying a conventional shoe box having a bottom wall, a pair of opposed side walls, a pair of opposed end walls, and a removable and replaceable lid including a depending flange portion adapted to overlie the upper end portions of said side and end walls, said device being fabricated from a single generally rectangular sheet of cardboard or other suitable material to include:

a top panel; a first side panel;

a bottom panel; a second side panel;

a first handle flap integral with the top panel;

a second handle flap integral with the second side panel; and means incorporated in said bottom panel for releasably locking the device about said lid and box;

said top, bottom, and side panels being defined by fold lines that extend from the left side marginal edge to the right side marginal edge of the blank aforesaid;

said first handle fiap being defined by one of the fold linse that partially define said top panel and the upper edge of the blank;

said second handle flap being defined by one of the fold lines that partially define said second side panel and the lower edge of the blank, each of said flaps having formed therein a correspondingly contoured and located hand hole;

said hand holes being adapted for registry with said flaps adhesively secured together in superimposed disposition;

said means incorporated in the bottom panel for removably locking the device about said box and the thereto applied lid comprising:

a pair of opposed locking tabs each partially cut out from said bottom panel and defined by an arcuate inner edge, a portion of the blank side marginal edge, a cut away portion at the crest of the arcuate edge, and a short transverse fold line extending from the lower end of said arcuate edge to said blank side marginal edge;

each tab being divided by an intermediate fold line into an insert section and a supporting section therefor;

said short and intermediate fold lines serving to facilitate manipulation of the tab for entering the insert section thereof into the slight space obtaining between the outer face of the upper portion of a side wall of the box and the inner face of the adjacent depending flange portion of the lid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,253,489 1/1918 Houghland 229-9 2,293,342 8/1942 Inman 22952 2,975,934 3/1961 Powell 229-52 RAPHAEL H. SCHWARTZ, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

